the mineral industry of papua new guinea 2002 20 1 references that include a section mark are found in internet cited by travis q lyday comprises eastern one half island which is second largest world an archipelago additional three islands bougainville britain and ireland about 600 smaller islets atolls coral reefs 463 000 square kilometer km 2 nation includes 9 980 territorial waters located east indonesia between sea south paci c ocean lies just north australian continent was formed merger territory german colonial possession following war i australia administered until 1975 when it became independent state historically mining has played prominent role s economy 1888 rst signi cant discovery gold made search for bonanza alluvial deposits brought miners from queensland to sudest
